Fun and creative back-to-school supplies and gear

Originally published August 8, 2016 at 10:55 am
Updated August 8, 2016 at 10:56 am

Send them back to school with gear that's both fun and functional.

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By Sara Kennedy

ShopNW

Don’t wait until the last minute to get that school-supply list checked off. The best stuff moves fast.

Here are some picks to spark your creativity (and theirs), from classroom to lunchroom.

SUPPLY

Your Lego maniac will have a blast with new brick-ready school supplies such as the Lego Buildable Ruler ($16) and Brick Markers ($20 for nine, both at shop.lego.com). Both allow customization and free-time fun — if you trust them not to get too distracted.

They can store pens, gum, whatever, in the Yoobi Binder Zip Case ($4 at Target), which conveniently fits inside a binder and clips in so it doesn’t get lost. And for every Yoobi item purchased, the company donates an item to a U.S. classroom in need.

High schoolers and college kids have a lot to keep track of. Empower them with the sophisticated Poketo Dusen Dusen Rocks Planner ($32 at poketo.com and Moorea Seal, Belltown), which has weekly, monthly and year-long spreads.

TRANSPORT

The new Toms High Road Backpack ($50 at toms.com) has the same simple-cool style as the über-popular Toms shoes, plus a padded laptop sleeve, lots of pockets and padded straps. With every purchase, the company will donate money to stop bullying in schools.

Take some summer into the school year with the limited-edition JanSport x FARM Super FXbackpack ($45 at jansport.com). The California-via-Seattle company teamed with Brazilian line FARM on the fun, fresh print sure to brighten any outfit.

COMPUTE

Herschel Anchor Sleeve, $30–$40

Everyone can use a little extra laptop protection. Make it extra cool with the Herschel Anchor Sleeve ($30–$40 at shop.herschelsupply.com). The Vancouver company has a huge array of cool color combos and prints, and sizes to fit everything from tablet to full-size laptop.

They can save space on their desk at home or in the dorm with the sleek and stylish Grovemade Walnut MacBook Dock ($79 at grovemade.com). Designed and made in Portland, the piece holds the laptop upright and is lined with felt to keep it scratch-free.

When studying at the library or coffee shop, it’s just smart to have a laptop lock for quick runs to the bathroom or counter. The Kensington MicroSaver Retractable Keyed Laptop Lock ($30 at amazon.com) is light enough to always keep with them, and works on most PCs.

EAT

Lunchtime will be happy time with the adorable Crocodile Creek Horse Lunch Box ($21 at store.crocodilecreek.com and Whole Foods). Lined and padded to keep everything cool and safe, it’s PVC-, vinyl- and BPA-free. And so cute!

Older kids can have a hot, homemade meal for lunch with the Box Appetit Food Flask ($30 at boxappetit.com), which will keep food warm for six hours, or cold for eight. It also looks cool in stainless steel with a leather strap and contrasting spoon.

HYDRATE

Send them to school with a Northwest-themed Liberty Bottleworks aluminum bottle ($22–$24 at liberty
bottles.com) to stave off thirst. The Union Gap company offers bottles in various sizes with great designs, such as a 12 in Seahawks colors and a sasquatch tromping through the forest. They’ll soon be offering single-run custom bottles; watch the website for details.

Easy to tote and oh-so cool, the Miir 20 oz Classic water bottle ($18 at miir.com and Miir flagship, Wallingford) comes in cool colors of medical-grade stainless steel. The Seattle company donates to clean water projects with each bottle purchased.

DECORATE

Add personal flair to notebooks, folders or lockers with cheeky Bethany Mota Stickers ($1 each at Target), from the YouTube star’s line for Target. There are also stamps, stencils and other ways to add a little more fun to the day.

It’s easy to add a personal touch to a locker with the magnetized Pottery Barn Teen Locker Décor Bundle ($19.50 at pbteen.com). It includes two frames, two dry-erase dots with a pen, and a heart-shaped mirror for mid-day touchups.